Al Ahli scored a resounding 6-0 over Al Arabi in Round 4 (Group A) of the 2023-2024 season Ooredoo Cup at the Al Khor Stadium on Saturday.

The Brigadiers rode on a hat-trick from their young French star Oumar Sekou and a goal each from Al Dokali Al Sayed, Naim Sliti and Abdulrasheed Ibrahim.

The winners led 1-0 at half-time. While Al Dokali struck the opening goal in the 10th minute, Sekou scored in the 51st, 54th and 74th minute (penalty). Sliti then scored the fifth in the 76th minute while Abdulrasheed Ibrahim headed in the sixth goal in 90+2 minute.

The result saw Al Ahli move up to seven points, the same as that of Al Arabi but ahead on better goal difference. Umm Salal lead the group with 10 points.

Qatar SC, Al Wakrah and Muaither are the other teams in Group A.

The 20-year-old Sekou was the star of Al Ahli’s show. He first picked on a fine through pass from captain Jasem Mohamed Omer to strike from a close angle from the right before returning minutes later to repeat the act. This time, however, he was fed by Al Dokali when at the top of the box and Sekou first took the ball on his chest and transferred it on to his foot before slamming in the ball.

Sekou scored from the spot for his third successive goal after Abdulrasheed Ibrahim was brought down by the goalkeeper while he was rushing in inside the danger area, resulting in the penalty.

Al Arabi’s woes just did not seem to stop as within minutes Naim Sliti moved in to beat two defenders and slot the ball in from the left of the ‘D’.

There was more joy for Al Ahli as Yaseen Lafrid provided a fine cross for Abdulrasheed to time his jump for a header and the ball bounced before making it into the net to complete the rout.

Al Ahli’s opening goal was initiated by Sliti’s cross from the left which deflected off Navid Dorzadeh, but a waiting Al Dokali slammed the ball in from the centre of the box.

Al Arabi did not have much to counter Al Ahli’s attacking play and perhaps their closest chance came in the 19th minute when Rami Suhail’s shot missed the left post by inches.